Week 4 pick the lines (with Matty K)

Matt: Apparently I have to watch football on my TV to have a good week…
Week 1: hungover on my couch – 11-5
Week 2: missed games due to golf tournament, night game at buddy’s place – 6-10
Week 3: hungover at Scotty’s place – 6-9 (MNF pending)

I’m gonna take a handicap for simply overthinking some of the games this week, or I should say, trying to out think Vegas. But isn’t that why we’re here??

Alright, moving on… time for the week 4 spreads – first bye week (team’s off: Dallas, Minnesota, Kansas City, and Tampa Bay).

Scott: The KC bye week lets me claim perfection one extra week until Indy destroys them in Week 5. I’ll take my small victories where I can get them. My picks have been thoroughly mediocre this year. I mean I’m above .500 (barely) but I’m feeling like Knish in Rounders at this point, just grinding out the small victories with 9-7 weeks.

As far as why we were here, I thought it was to waste company time while still getting paid? Ok, onto the games.

ARI @ SD. Matt: The migrant farm-worker bowl!! The only inter-conference game on the docket this week. The Cards won’t have to travel very far for this one (side note: Arizona plays every California team this year). Typical bounce back game for the Chargers, and everyone should know this. Zona is the phoniest 2-1 team in the league. SD by -8.5.

Scott: Do they even have farms in Arizona? Do crops grow in 120 desert heat? What do illegal Mexican immigrants do there then? Work at McDonalds? I do ask though that you get out of my head this week or this contest won’t be much fun, as I also had San Diego by 8.5.

Actual line: San Diego by 8. No point awarded.

NYJ @ BUF. Matt: One of 9 divisional games this week. One thing I learned from week 3, that didn’t matter enough to include in my things learned email: Ryan Fitzpatrick is now the guy in Buffalo. Until Kevin Kolb becomes available… They did seem to hang tough in a shootout with the Pats, who seemingly do not have anyone to take the field Defense this year… Big win for the Jets in Miami on Sunday, and nothing like a drive upstate to pad the stats. Jets by -10.

Scott: Nice to see all the divisional games, but then I look at this schedule and wonder how I keep from falling asleep this Sunday. It says something when Trent Edwards is released and there is a lineup of teams to get him. Maybe Jeff Garcia’s UFL stint will get him a chance soon? Anyways, I see you got baited into the ‘Bills stink’ idea with your line, but I don't know if the Jets score enough. Jets by 6.5.

Actual line: Jets by 5. Point to Scott.

DEN @ TEN. Matt: Still not sure what to make of the Broncos, they’re obviously not good, but I think they can beat bad teams, and stay competitive at times with good ones. That being said, Vegas will overlook the Pitt game and give Tennessee respect at home. I low balled this one, could be higher… Titans by -7.5.

Scott: I circled this one for awhile trying to get a read on it. I’m not sure if anyone really knows what to make of Denver. I could have seen this game anywhere between about 6 and 13 points, so I split the difference and went Titans by 9.

Actual line: Titans by 6.5. Point to Matt

CIN @ CLE. Matt: Nobody seems to think Carson has it anymore, but this team is still the cock of the walk in this division. I think Senaca gives the Browns a better chance to win than Jake, but they still stink. Cincy by -9.

Scott: Cincy is the cock of the walk? Were Pittsburgh and Baltimore banished to another division, and all that’s left is the Browns and the Bengals? Cincy doesn’t make it to the playoffs, and Carson Palmer will show how bad he is. Maybe not this week, but soon. Bengals by 4.

Actual line: Bengals by 3. Point to Scott.

CAR @ NO. Matt: Your 2010 worst team in the league Panthers, formerly known as Scott’s sleeper pick. I don’t think FGs will be an issue for NO in this one. Saints by -13.

Scott: You have no proof of me ever saying such a thing (**currently deleting all blog posts mentioning Carolina or Matt Moore**). I still think everyone knows something isn’t quite right with the Saints and this line reflects it a little. Saints by 10.5.

Actual line: Saints by 13.5. Point to Matt.

BAL @ PIT. Matt: Flacco and Batch! Sounds like a cheesy 1970s cop show. I’ve failed to notice in the first 3 weeks that Pittsburgh was my kryptonite team last year – for or against, couldn’t win on games involving them – this season 0-3… Something is awry in Baltimore, but they find ways to win. Pitt is the balls. Steeltown by -4.5.

Scott: I’d watch Flacco and Batch! At least before I ever watch S*@! My Dad Says. Or Desperate Housewives. Speaking of which, the only reason that show must be still on is to give Eva Longoria a career. I was flipping through the guide on TV last night and found a movie where she was the 2nd lead in a movie. To Jason Biggs. That’s right, the Pie-Fucker! And you don’t even get top billing over him? Yeah, you better hope Tony gets a nice fat new contract, Eva. Oh yeah, Charlie Batch blows. Baltimore by 2.5.

Actual line: Pittsburgh by 1.5. Point to Matt.

SF @ ATL. Matt: This is where it really starts to fall apart for San Fran… The Dirty Birds are the class of the NFC in my opinion (over Green Bay). I’m just not sure if Vegas jumps off San Fran just yet… ATL by -7.

Scott: Class of the NFC hey? Let’s not forget they were a 25 yard field goal shank away from being 1-2. We better start making all of our Mike Singletary jokes now though, because he won’t be around much longer. Just waiting for somebody in the San Fran front office to get the nerve up to tell him he’s fired. Something tells me they’ll sacrifice an intern for that one. Or he just shows up for work one day and his access card doesn't work. Atlanta by 7.

Actual line: Falcons by 6.5. No points awarded.

SEA @ STL. Matt: All of the sudden this is an interesting matchup… hahaha OK just kidding! But after the Rams’ big win over the Skins, and Seattle’s dramatic win over SD, it complicates the situation slightly. I think the Hawks get an edge because they have one more win than STL, and before Sunday, the Rams hadn’t won a game since ’99… I think. I have this game as a pick.

Scott: I figure since nobody knows what to make of either of these teams, Vegas throws up their hands, much like I am on this one. Rams by 2.5.

Actual line: Seattle by 1. Point to Matt.

DET @ GB. Matt: Shouldn’t be too much backlash over the Packer’s loss Monday night, that Chicago D is just filthy. Unfortunately for the Lions, I don’t think this gets any easier than their game against the Vikes. Green Bay should roll them nicely. Pack by -14

Scott: Green Bay kept finding ways to lose against Chicago, but really dominated the play other than dumb penalties. Remember all that talk about Detroit being respectable? Where did that go? Packers by 13.

Actual line: Packers by 14.5. Point to Matt.

HOU @ OAK. Matt: Htown comes back to earth with a humbling loss vs the ‘Boys. How will they respond knowing that they’ve started hot in the past, only to cool off eventually? It’s difficult to imagine how Oakland can have success in this one. Texans by -6.

Scott: Houston got dominated by a desperate Cowboys team that wanted to avoid 0-3. Oakland couldn’t even beat the lowly Cardinals, but they are at home and I don’t think Houston has that much respect yet from Vegas. Houston by 4.

Actual line: Houston by 3. Point to Scott.

IND @ JAX. Matt: Another divisional game, been tight in past years. All will expect Indy to continue to roll here, so the line will be high. Colts by -9.5.

Scott: I suspect with Peyton Manning in town, the Jags might get 30K in the stadium. Most of whom will be wearing Colts jerseys. Colts by 7.5.

Actual line: Indy by 9. Point to Matt.

WAS @ PHI. Matt: Why oh why wasn’t this later in the year so this game could get flexed into the night game?? This is Luke versus Han. Interesting situation because unlike most franchise’s, where the team’s leader retires or moves on, and there is usually a few (to several) years where everyone misses the guy, Philly fans haven’t hesitated to adopt the Dog Whisperer as their saviour of Vickadelphia. In related news, Philly is the fav at this stage in the season, we will see where things are when we go to DC later. Eagles by -6.

Scott: Philly fans want a winner, and if Charles Manson could play QB they’d support him. I wish Seattle Mariners fans were the same way, they want to bounce a promising young reliever (Josh Leuke) acquired in the Cliff Lee deal out of town because he has a ‘he said she said’ incident when he was 19 where he served time already. You do your time, you get forgiven. All that said, Vegas will play on the McNabb revenge factor here, so we’ll go Eagles by 4.

Actual line: Eagles by 6. Point to Matt.

Sunday Nighter – Matt: CHI @ NYG. Three thoughts from MNF: 1) So fun watching Hester run another one back, but it will be really scary if he does it again this year… 2) Urlacher looks as good as ever, but 5 years ago he might have picked that red zone pass to Finley that whizzed by his head 3) Julius Peppers, my goodness, I’ve never seen one guy provoke that many false starts, dude could probably make anyone lose in a game of flinch! One would think they’re primed for a let down here, but I’ll argue that won’t happen because the Giants aren’t there yet… Week 1 they win decisively but over the soon to be coined worst team in the NFL, Week 2 they got creamed on SNF, week 3 return home only to get crushed again, now SNF at home in week 4 versus the only undefeated NFC team fresh off a night game victory over everyone’s sexy Super Bowl pick. Da Bears by -5.

Scott: I wasn’t nearly as impressed by the Bears as you. They won because Green Bay beat themselves with penalties, a Devin Hester runback and a fumble that somehow stayed inbounds when all physics says it should roll out of bounds.. They should be a 1-2 team. Giants by 2.5.

Actual line: Giants by 3.5. Point to Scott.

Monday Night Football - NE @ MIA. Matt: The Pats can’t defend, I’m keeping this in mind from now on. The once instantly recognizable names of Patriots defensive lore: Harrison, Seymour, Bruschi, etc. have all faded away. If Miami can keep Brady from torching them just a little, they can take this one. The Dolphin’s have much potential, so long as they don’t succumb to the status quo by relying too much on their QB (I don’t think Henne is bad at all, but it seems like every time the balance swings towards more passes, the play calling gets careless). Miami by -1.

Scott: As I wrote yesterday, the Patriots are developing more holes than swiss cheese, and they’re only a decent team because of their passing game. I don't know about you, but Tony Sparano's eye issues from a grease fire accident being the reason he wears the sunglasses depressed me. I was really hoping he actually wanted to look like one of the guys from SNL's old 'Da Bears' skits. That said, the Patriots still the PATRIOTS in a lot of people’s minds and Miami is coming off a tough loss where as you pointed out, their passing game goes awry when they have to depend on it, so New England by 1.

Actual line: Patriots by 1. Point to Scott.

Final weekly score: Matt 7-5
Season score: 2-0 Matt